Pen and pocket clip construction



1955 N. K. RHOADES ,69

PEN AND POCKETVCLIP CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 21, 1952 1 awmmwa United States Patent PEN AND PQCIGET CLIP CONSTRUCTION Nolan Kent Rhoades, Milton, Wis, assignor to The Parker Pen Company, Janesville, 'Wis., 'a corporation of 'Wisconsm Application October 21, 1952, Serial No. 315,900

Claims. (Cl. 120-42) The present invention relates to fountain pens and more particularly to afountain .pen having a novel barrel .and pocket clip construction.

.An object of the invention is to provide a fountain pen-having novel construction especially adapting it for carrying in a pocket with its writing end down.

Another object is .to provide a fountain pen having a body .and a pocket .clip mounted thereon, of such construction as to enable a closure cap of generally conventional form to .be telescoped onto the rear end of the pen body, .over the clip and at least partially enclosing the clip, whereby the cap can be retained on the pen body :by frictional engagement directly therewith.

A more specific object is to provide a pen and pocket clip construction, including a body and a pocket clip secured on the rear .end of the body enabling the pen to .be inserted in a pocket with its writing end down and secured in the pocket :in such position by the clip, in which the body has a'recess receiving the pocket clip so that the clip is within theprojection of the remaining surface of the body which is of generally cylindrical or tapered cylindrical shape, whereby the closure cap utilized for enclosing the forward writing end of the pen can be placedonthe rear end of the pen when the pen is to be used in writing, in such position that the cap surrounds the clip, enabling the cap to be normally held on the pen body by friction, and the clip is at least partially enclosed and concealed by the cap.

A further object isto provide a fountain pen having a body a recess therein and a pocket clip attached to the body with at least .a portion disposed in the recess, in whichthe recess has such cross sectional contour, and is otherwise .so shaped, as to facilitateentrance of a pocket piece between the clip and pen body when the pen is placed in a pocket.

Another object is to provide .a pen body and clip construction of the foregoing character having a novel and pleasing appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of apen embodying the body and clip construction of the present invention, and a cap adapted for use withthe pen;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the on the forward end of the broken away and sectioned;

Fig. 3 is aside viewof the on the rear end of the rounding the clip, sectioned;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view takenon line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the pen, without the cap, at line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and illustrating a portion of a pocket piece positioned as when the pen is in apocket.

In carrying a pen with the writing end down, it is desired that .the writing end be covered by a cap when in the pocket so as not to soil the clothes. The pen of the present invention is adapted for use of a conventional cap therewith, i. e., a cap that is relatively short as compared :to the pen. .Such a cap is not suited for. mounting a pocket clipthereon because when the pen is in the pocket the cap is well below the upper edge of the pocket piece and a pocket clip, if mounted on the cap, would not be efiective for clipping the pocket piece. The pocket pen with the cap fitted pen, the cap being shown pen with the cap telescoped pen over and substantially surthe cap being shown broken away and ice clip can, however, .be mounted .on the rear .end .of .the pen body, but .it is usually desired that the .cap enclosing the forward endof the .pen be placed on therear end when the penis to be used in writing, audit the pocket clip is mounted as mentioned, on the rear end of the pen body that has an otherwise uniform and regular contour, the cap utilized for covering the forward end of the pen will not fit over the .clip. For example, a pen that is of conventional .cincularshape in cross section,.as the pen of the present invention is shaped, is accom panied by a cap that is also circular in .cross section. Thus if a pocket clip is provided .on the rear end of the pen and disposed outwardly of the circular surface of the body, the cap which is shaped to fit the surface of the body will not fitover theclip. In accordance with the present invention, the pen body is provided with a recess in which the clip is disposed entirely Within the projection of the adjacent main .portion of ,the body, whereby the cap of thecharacter mentioned can be telescoped over the clipand frictionally grip the body.

The pen illustrated in the drawings is shown mainly only astoits exterior since its internal construction does not have bearing on those portions of the structure directlyembodying the present invention. The pen 12 is of appropriate size and proportions as to be characterized as a pocket fountain pen, and is shown with .a cap 14 which maybe similar to .caps usually supplied with fountainpens of thepocket type except that it has no clip attached. The pen includes a barrel or body of suitable construction and may include two sections, namely, a forward-section 16 and a rearward section 18 secured together in any convenient manner such as by a screw threaded connection .(not shown) concealed within the pen body when the sections are. secured together. A writing-element 20 is provided, which in the present instance takes theform of a nib formed by .an extension of the outer casingof the section 16. The pen body 12 is of tapered, generally cylindrical overal shape having a centralportion approaching the cylindrical and tapering from the central portion toward both ends in .a long and gradual taper, presenting a .streamlined, trim and pleasing appearance, the tapered shape also aiding in fitting and retaining the cap on either end of the body.

To the end that the .clip be disposed within the projection of the main surface of the pen body, the rear section 18 is formed so as to be provided witha recess 24. The recess has a surface 28 straight in transverse directions and extending through to opposite sides of the pen body. The recessis thus shaped as if formed by cutting or slicing off a portion of the body. The pocket clip .26 is disposed, at least partially, and mainly, in the recess, and is totally within the projection of the adjacent portion of the pen body surface of circular cross section. The recess and clip are positioned, in the preferred construction, somewhat forwardly of the extreme rear end of the pen, although they may be positioned at any of various locations longitudinally of the body, the primary consideration from the standpoint of utility being that the'clip be adjacent the rear end so that the pen can .be conveniently inserted in the pocket and clipped to the pocket piece. In the arrangement shown, a portion of the pen extends out of the pocket wheninserted therein and clipped to the pocket piece, but it may be desired that less or substantially none of the pen extend out of the pocket, and for .the purpose of carryingout the latter effect, the recess may be extended to the extreme rear end of the pen body and the .clip secured to the rear end of the pen. In any case, the clip is of appropriate length to extend forwardly the desired amount. In the present instance, the recess at each end is shaped to a long inclinationor curve so .as to present a pleasing appearance, while the inclined or curved portion 30 at the forward end of the recess extends forwardly of the clip and aids in clipping the pen to a pocket piece, as will be brought out more fully later.

The pen body preferably is substantially circular in cross section except as interrupted by the recess or cutout portion 24. The curved or arcuate surface of that portion of the pen body in which the :recess is formed is, in cross section, in the form of an arc of a circle, and for convenience this surface will bereferred to as circular in cross section. The main surface of the pen body may be considered as uniform or regular; that is, it is of such contour that it can be projected or extended as predetermined by the contour of the surface. For example, since the pen body is circular in cross section except as interrupted by the recess 24, the arcuate portion of the surface adjacent the recess can be projected in circular direction over the recess. Similarly the longitudinal tapered surface of the pen body section 18 can be projected rearwardly to form an extension having a contour determined by the main surface.

The pocket clip 26 may be any of a number of shapes and constructions so long as it is positioned Within the projection or extension of the main surface of the pen body. The preferred form of clip, as illustrated in the drawings, includes an elongated stem portion 32 disposed in the recess and overlying the surface 28, and having an enlargement 34 on its forward end adapted to directly engage and grip the pocket piece when the pen is clipped in the pocket. The clip is preferably of spring metal, having inherent springlness or resilience, and arranged so that the forward end is normally self-biased toward the surface 28. The rear end of the clip is secured to the pen body in fixed and rigid position, in the preferred form of construction, so as to form a firm point of reaction for the inward bias of the clip. The specific form of securement of the clip to the body may assume any desired form and may include a slot or groove in the pen body in which the end portion of the clip is fitted, and suitable means such as a pin (not shown) for anchoring the clip therein. he portion of the clip disposed in the slot may be fiush with the surface of the pen body, but at least does not extend radially therebeyond, and the remaining portion of the clip, namely the stem 32 and enlargement 34, is also within the pro ection of the main surface.

The cap 14, having an open end 36, may be of conventional construction so long as it possesses adjacent its open end an inner surface shaped for friction engagement with the outer surface of the pen body and is otherwise of proper shape and size for telescoping over the pen body. As here shown, the cap includes a tubular casing member 33 having an inner surface portion 40 adjacent its open end, circular in cross section and tapered complementally to certain portions of the pen body. The outer surface of the pen body 12 includes zones designated generally at 42 and 44 of substantially equal diameter and taper, and the surface portion 40 of the cap is complemental in shape to those zones for friction gripping therewith and normal retention of the cap on the pen body. Accordingly, the cap can be mounted on either end of the pen and normally retained thereon but enabling removal therefrom when deliberate force is applied for that purpose. The cap when telescoped over the rear end of the pen (Figs. 3 and 4) defines the projection of the main surface of the pen over the recess, showing the clip to be within that projection, in all directions of the projection, namely longitudinally and circumferentially.

While the pocket clip shown herein and described above constitutes the preferred form, it will be understood that other forms of clip may be utilized, so long as the clip is disposed in the recess and normally within the projection or extension of the main surface of the pen body, and preferably also that it is possessed of some degree of resilience and normally self-biased toward the surface of the recess.

The forward inclined or curved portion 30 of the surface 28 is so formed that it facilitates leading the edge of the pocket piece into engagement with the surface 28 for insertion between the clip and surface 28 when placing the pen in the pocket and clipping it to the pocket piece. For further facilitating insertion of the pocket piece between the clip and surface 28 the latter is straight in directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pen, by reason of which the pocket piece when inserted between the clip and surface 28 is enabled to extend substantially straight transversely of the pen as represented in Fig. 5. The construction eliminates the need for lifting the free end of the clip for inserting the pocket piece thereunder, and depressing the pocket piece as would be necessary if the recess were of concave shape in transverse directions.

When the pen is carried in the pocket the cap is of course telescoped on the forward end of the pen for enclosing the writing element or nib 20. The pen then is inserted in the pocket with the writing end down and clipped to the pocket piece by insertion of the latter between the pocket engaging element 34 and the surface 28 by a downward movement of the pen, which automatically flexes the clip outwardly, whereby the element 34, in conjunction with the surface 28, grips the pocket piece in frictional engagement and normally retains the pen in the pocket against forces tending to dislodge it.

When the pen is to be used in writing and the cap 14 is removed for that purpose, it is desired, rather than to set the cap down, to place it over the rear end of the pen. Such position of the cap is illustrated in Fig. 3 in which, by reason of the clip being disposed within the projection of the main surface of the pen body, the cap surrounds the clip and frictionally engages the pen body throughout the circular extent of the body at that location. Thus the construction enables the cap, regular in shape, utilized for enclosing the forward end of the pen, to be telescoped over the rear end of the pen without hindrance by the clip on the body. The clip and recess also are at least partially concealed by the cap. The various portions of the pen body, and the cap, as well as the recess 24 may, if desired, be so proportioned relatively to one another that the cap when placed on the rear end of the pen will entirely enclose and conceal the clip and recess, as for instance, when the recess and clip are disposed at the rearmost end portion of the pen body in the manner mentioned above.

It will be understood that those portions of the cap other than adjacent the open end 36 thereof may be of other dimensions than as illustrated so long as those portions are sufficiently large to receive the adjacent portions of the pen body. For example, so long as all portions of the pen rearwardly of the zone 44 are no larger in transverse dimensions than the zone, the arrangement will be considered to be within the concept of the present invention, since the object is to provide a construction whereby the cap has a portion for friction gripping with the pen at the zone 44 and which is of sufficient dimensions to fit over all of the elements rearwardly of the zone. Preferably, however, the cap is tapered to follow generally the taper of the front and rear portions of the pen for the sake of appearance and at all locations rearwardly of the zone 44 the cap may conform in circular contour relatively closely to the contour of the pen body.

It is preferred that the cap, when placed on the rear end of the pen, be retained thereon solely by friction engagement with the pen body, rather than by frictional engagement with the clip as well as the body. For this purpose the recess, at least at that portion adjacent the zone 44, is disposed entirely above the longitudinal central axis of the pen (as oriented in Fig. 2) so that the arcuate surface of this portion of the body exceeds In this manner the cap will be retained in position by gripping engagement with the pen body alone and reliance will not be had for that purpose upon engagement of the cap with the pocket clip. However, even in the face of the preferred arrangement as stated above, if it should be desired that the cap engage the pocket clip and this engagement be relied upon for retaining the cap in position, the construction would nevertheless be within the broad concept of the invention.

I claim:

1. A pen and pocket clip construction, comprising a pen body having a forward writing end and a rear end, said body being tapered from its central portion toward each end and having an outer surface generally circular in cross section but with a longitudinally extending recess on one side adjacent its rear end formed by a cut-off portion defining a surface substantially straight in directions transversely of the longitudinal direction of the pen body, and a pocket clip secured to the pen body adjacent the rear end of said recess disposed within the projection of said outer surface with a pocket engaging element in said recess, said pen body having a gripping portion on its rear part forwardly of the rear end of said clip and a gripping portion on its forward part that are circular in cross section to an extent greater than 180 and of substantially equal diametrical dimension and taper, the portions of the pen body outwardly of the gripping portions being no greater in diameter than the smallest diameter of the gripping portions, thereby enabling fitting alternatively on either end of the pen body of a cap having an open end and a portion adjacent its open end tapered complementally to said portions of the pen body for friction gripping therewith and retention of the cap on the body, whereby a circumferentially continuous cap, and the same cap, utilized for enclosing the forward end of the pen when fitted on the rear end surrounds and envelops at least a portion of said pocket clip and recess.

2. A pen and pocket clip construction, comprising a pen body having a forward writing end and a rear end, said body being tapered from its central portion toward each end and having a longitudinally extending recess on one side adjacent its rear end, said pen body having a gripping portion on its forward part that has a surface continuous in cross section symmetrical about all transverse axes, and a gripping portion on its rear part forwardly of the rear end of said recess that has a surface continuous in cross section throughout an extent greater than 180 substantially congruent with the first gripping portion, said gripping portions being of substantially equal taper, the portions of the pen body outwardly of said gripping portions being no greater in transverse dimension than the smallest transverse dimension of said gripping portions, and a pocket clip secured to the pen body adjacent the rear end of said recess with a pocket engaging element in said recess, said pocket clip lying within the projection of the surface of said gripping portion on the rear part, thereby enabling fitting alternatively on either end of the pen body of a cap having an open end and a portion adjacent its open end shaped complementally to said gripping portions of the pen body for friction gripping engagement therewith and retention of the cap on the body, whereby a circumferentially continuous cap, and the same cap, utilized for enclosing the forward end of the pen when fitted on the rear end surrounds and envelops at least a portion of said pocket clip and recess.

3. A pen and pocket clip construction comprising a pen body having a substantially uniform main surface and a longitudinally extending recess on one side adjacent to but spaced forwardly from its rear end, said recess forming a discontinuance of said surface and being formed by a cut-off portion defining a surface substantially straight in directions transversely of the longitudinal direction of the pen body, said recess having a relatively long curved portion at its forward end inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the pen body and merging into the main surface in a relatively long curve, and a pocket clip secured to the pen body adjacent the rear end of the recess with a pocket engaging element extending forwardly in said recess, all portions of the pocket clip being disposed within the projection of said main surface, and the forward end of said pocket engaging element terminating short of the forward end of the recess.

4. A pen and pocket clip construction comprising a pen body having a substantially uniform main surface and a longitudinally extending recess on one side adjacent to but spaced forwardly from its rear end, said recess forming a discontinuance of said surface and being formed by a cut-off portion defining a surface substantially straight in directions transversely of the longitudinal direction of the pen body, said recess being deepest at a point intermediate its ends and having relatively long curved portions from its deepest point to its ends inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the pen body, and a pocket clip secured to the pen body and disposed within the projection of said main surface, said clip having a rear end portion embedded in and rigidly mounted in the pen body rearwardly of said recess and a pocket engaging element extending forwardly in said recess with its forward end terminating short of the forward end of the recess, said clip and the surface of the recess at the forward end of the clip extending generally longitudinally of the pen body and being mutually inclined at only a small angle.

5. A pen and pocket clip construction and pen cap, in combination, comprising a pen body having a forward writing end and a rear end, said body being tapered from its central portion toward each end and having a longitudinally extending recess on one side adjacent its rear end, said pen body having a gripping portion on its forward part that has a surface continuous in cross section symmetrical about all transverse axes, and a gripping portion on its rear part forwardly of the rear end of said recess that has a surface continuous in cross section throughout an extent greater than substantially congruent with the first gripping portion, said gripping portions being of substantially equal taper, the portions of the pen body outwardly of said gripping portions being no greater in transverse dimension than the smallest transverse dimen- S1011 of said gripping portions, a pocket clip secured to the pen body adjacent the rear end of said recess with a pocket engaging element in said recess, said pocket clip lying within the projection of the surface of said gripping portion on the rear part, and a circumferentially continuous cap having an open end and a pen-gripping portion adjacent its open end shaped complementally to said gripping portions of the pen body for friction gripping engagement therewith and retention of the cap on the pen body, whereby the cap may be fitted on either end of the pen body and when fitted on the rear end surrounds and envelops at least a portion of said pocket clip and recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,233,846 Packard Mar. 4, 1941 2,266,429 Lopez Dec. 16, 1941 2,320,936 Kissler June 1, 1943 2,494,130 Israelson Jan. 10, 1950 2,516,629 Hine July 25, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 930.421 France Aug. 11, 1947 615,548 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1949 

